The Fourth Hokage Takes Office and the New Leadership

Jiraiya himself plans to travel throughout the Ninja World during peacetime to gather inspiration for a sequel to the Icha Icha Series.

On the other side, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood not far from Dan Katō, seemingly lost in memories, as if he were seeing himself thirty years ago when he took over Hokage.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stood behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, their eyes filled with deep envy as they looked at Torifu Akimichi.

"Master Dan, the Crown Prince of the Daimyo has arrived as an envoy. It is time to begin the ceremony."

During the ceremony, Inuzuka Ryo, who was acting as a guard, walked up to Dan Katō and gave him a reminder.

"Ah, I see. So, what's next..."

Dan Katō looked at the Third Hokage.

The former was wearing a modern Hokage Robe, a short-sleeved robe, which made him look handsome and energetic, while the latter was wearing an old-fashioned Hokage Robe.

The tailor who made the new Hokage Robe had made Hokage Robe for the First Hokage and Second Hokage more than forty years ago, and because she was fashionable and young at that time, she was already the best tailor in the village.

The outfit that Hiruzen Sarutobi wearing was also sewn by her stitch by stitch thirty years ago.

However, it is obvious that the style from thirty or forty years ago is now outdated, so this nearly seventy-year-old lady designed a new style to symbolize the arrival of a new era.

"Ah, I know."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded to Dan Katō, and the two walked together to the front of the stage, coming into the view of all the Konoha Ninja.

All the ninjas in the square fell silent at this moment.

This is an extremely sacred moment for every Konoha Ninja.

"Please, Fourth Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi removed the Hokage hat from his head and handed it to Dan Katō.

From this moment on, Dan Katō became the legitimate Fourth Hokage.

"I am willing to give my life to protect Konoha!"

Dan Katō took the Hokage and, Vice Admiral the attention of everyone, placed it on his head.

(It looks something like this; just imagine the clothes are like the ones Minato wore.)

After donning the Hokage hat, Dan Katō turned around, looked at all the Konoha Ninja, and loudly announced:

"From this day forward, I am the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Dan Katō!"

In an instant, the sounds in the square surged like a tide.

"This outfit really does fit Duan perfectly!"

Uchiha Fugaku crossed his arms and watched the scene unfold before him, a smile creeping onto his face.

Dan Katō becoming Hokage means that from this day forward, the Uchiha Clan has officially entered the core of Konoha's leadership.

Tsunade stared blankly at Dan Katō's tall figure, as if she were thinking of her two grandfathers.

When I was a child, I seemed to be like that too, watching the figure in the Hokage Robe behind me, sheltering me from the wind and rain.

Minato Namikaze stood between his lover and his mentor, watching the figure in the distance receiving cheers from everyone, his azure eyes filled with unconcealed envy.

Fortunately, when fate made him miss out on his dream, it gave him a gift as a supplement.

Thinking of this, Minato Namikaze couldn't help but turn his gaze to Kushina's lower abdomen.

Less than a week after Dan Katō took office as Hokage, Minato Namikaze Kushina married Kushina. According to Tsunade and Meikyō, the baby was already two months along, and it would be too late for her to wear a wedding dress once her belly got any bigger.

Meikyō once again donned a formal suit, becoming Minato Namikaze's best man, while Dan Katō served as the officiant at the wedding, offering his blessings to the newlyweds.

Even Jiraiya postponed his travel plans and awkwardly changed into formal attire to attend the wedding.

Following this wedding, Konoha began a series of personnel changes following the appointment of the Fourth Hokage.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura submitted their resignations, and together with the Third Hokage, they nominally entered into retirement.

The Logistics Department, which was previously in charge of the former, has been handed over to the newly appointed Hokage Advisor, Torifu Akimichi, while the diplomacy, industry and commerce, and other matters that were previously in charge of the latter have been handed over to Minato Namikaze.

After taking office, Dan Katō centralized a series of powers, including diplomacy, negotiation, and commerce, into the Administrative Affairs Department. Minato Namikaze is now the director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Commerce Division in the Administrative Affairs Department. In addition to being responsible for diplomacy with other countries in the Ninja World, he is also responsible for the liaison between Konoha and the Daimyo's Mansion, as well as some of the commercial activities of merchants and nobles from the Land of Fire Konoha.

While serving as Hokage Advisor and becoming a high-ranking member of the village, Uchiha Fugaku also continued to serve as the head of the Konoha Military Police Force. Orochimaru, the former second-in-command, also basically took over most of Danzo's former positions, serving as both Hokage Advisor and head of Root. However, compared to Danzo in the past, his power was somewhat restricted.

Tsunade serves as the Hokage's Assistant and also as the head of the Medical Department.

As for the Meikyō.

"I plan to make you the class leader of the Jonin Commander, and also put you in charge of the village's Intelligence Analysis Unit, or the Minister of the Finance Department. You know, I only give the position of the Finance Department to the person I trust most, but Tsunade..."

Dan Katō sat in the Hokage's Office and sighed.

God knows what Tsunade's finances would be like if Konoha became the Minister of the Finance Department.

"Damn it, Duan, what kind of look is that?!"

At the other end of the table, Tsunade was about to lie down and sleep amidst the pile of documents, couldn't help but feel embarrassed and angry.

"Haha, what I mean is, Tsunade, you're already exhausted from being in charge of the Medical Department, it wouldn't be appropriate to put the Finance Department on top of that."

Dan Katō chuckled and scratched his head as he spoke.

"It is more appropriate for the Hokage to hold the three most important powers: the Finance Department, the Administrative Affairs Department, and the Anbu."

Meikyō shook his head and declined the position of the Finance Department.

This is a very important and powerful department, and there's a lot of money to be made. Even if they don't make money, they can still control the lifeline of many departments just by holding the reins of finance.

However, this position also involves a lot of work, so Meikyō naturally didn't want to take it.

"I'll remain the leader of the Jonin Commander, and we can add an Intelligence Analysis Unit as well. However, I might need to transfer a few people to help."

After thinking for a moment, Meikyō spoke.

The Intelligence Analysis Unit is actually quite large, connecting with the Anbu, the Root, and the Administrative Affairs Department. Like the Sealing Unit, it is an extremely important department within the village, with a status no lower than that of the Logistics Department and other departments.

Dan Katō had also held this position before, because he was the best intelligence ninja in the Ninja World, possessing the Spirit Transformation Technique.

"Is that so? Very well. You, Ryo, and Nami have learned a lot from me in the past. They are all excellent intelligence ninjas. I guess the helpers you need are the two of them."

Dan Katō a document with his red seal and said to Meikyō with a smile.

"It's them, but I need one more person."

"Who?"

"Yamanaka Inoichi."

In the original timeline, during the Fourth Shinobi World War, an intelligence ninja, upon hearing Yamanaka Inoichi's dying words that he had hidden some money, expressed that the image of his idol in his heart had been shattered.

At that time, Yamanaka Inoichi was the most capable intelligence ninja in the Ninja World. With the help of instruments, he could even use the Mind Transmission Technique to connect the Allied Shinobi Forces, which numbered over 80,000.

As the head of the Intelligence Analysis Unit in the original timeline, Yamanaka Inoichi's abilities are beyond question.

With the addition of Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Nami, who also possess excellent intelligence capabilities and can be completely trusted, the three form a check and balance, enough to take on most of the work of the Intelligence Analysis Unit for Meikyō.

"You really don't hold back when it comes to people, asking for three elite Jonin right off the bat."

Dan Katō chuckled and cursed, but still agreed to Meikyō's request.

The Hyuga Clan.

The Main Family residence.

"Hiashi, what are you waiting for! The Fourth Hokage has been in office for a week! There are already two Uchiha members in the upper echelons, but what about the Hyuga Clan? Are they just going to be overshadowed by the Uchiha Clan like this?"

The eldest elder of the Hyūga Main House, Hyuga Ryoma, leaning on his cane, questioned Hyuga Hiashi in front of him.

Hyuga Hiashi sat in the main seat, somewhat speechless.

Ever since Uchiha Meikyō became famous, the Hyuga Clan has always been overshadowed by the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Meikyō was a disciple of the Fourth Hokage and showed signs of becoming the strongest Ninja World. Uchiha Fugaku also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and was very powerful. The two of them led the Uchiha Clan together and expressed their support before the Fourth Hokage took office, thus having made a contribution to the cause. In return, the Fourth Hokage gave them high-ranking positions.

But the Hyuga Clan...

"Elder Liangma, although I am determined to strengthen the clan, the Uchiha Clan had already pledged allegiance to the Fourth Hokage he came to power. Although the clan also cast all its votes for the Fourth Hokage, it was ultimately just icing on the cake. You want me to compete for a high-level position? I simply cannot do it!"

Hyuga Hiashi sighed and said.

He felt that keeping things as they were was fine.

Even though the Hyuga Clan isn't as powerful as the Uchiha Clan, it's still one of the most prestigious clans in the Uchiha world, second only to the Ninja World. Furthermore, the strategic role of the Byakugan and the Caged Bird technique mean that no matter who changes leadership in Konoha, the Hyuga Clan will always have to maintain a certain level of respect. Even if it weakens, it won't decline too much.

"Hmph, the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan are both powerful clans in the Ninja World with Dojutsu and bloodline limits. Outsiders have always compared our clan to the Uchiha Clan. No matter what, as the head of the Hyūga Main House, you have an obligation to lead the clan to greater prestige. At the very least, you cannot let outsiders think that our Hyuga Clan is inferior to the Uchiha!"

Hyuga Hiashi is really speechless.

During the Sengoku Period and at the beginning of the village's founding, there were Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara. From that time onwards, the Hyuga Clan could no longer compare to the two powerful clans of Senju and Uchiha.

Currently, the Hyuga Clan has many Jonin, but there are truly no top-tier experts they can boast of. How can he possibly compete with Uchiha Meikyō and Uchiha Fugaku?

If you Hyuga Ryoma, could train me to produce a Hyūga Clan Meikyō like Elder Uchiha Yu of the Uchiha Clan, that wouldn't be so bad.

However, Hyuga Hiashi also knew that as long as the Caged Bird system existed, the Hyuga Clan would never produce such a person.

Hyuga Hiashi only thought these things to himself and wouldn't say them to Hyuga Ryoma.

I'll try my best.

Hyuga Hiashi sighed and agreed to the matter, intending to just gloss over it later.

It's impossible for them to get a high-ranking position. All the powerful departments in Konoha have already been divided up by the current high-ranking officials. Even the Education Department has been treated as the Third Hokage's private domain, and it's not up to them at all.

Hyuga Hiashi could only hope to obtain some seemingly high-ranking but actually insignificant positions to appease the elders of the main Main Family.

Let's shift our focus back to the Hokage's Office.

"I can grant your request, but you must also grant me a request, or rather, a request for Third Hokage."

Dan Katō told Meikyō that he could ask for people, but Meikyo would have to help him with some things as well.

Meikyō raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Requirements for the Third Hokage?"

After retiring from the position of Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi volunteered to become the principal of the Ninja Academy and lead the students.

"Well, this can be considered a political exchange between us and the Third."

Dan Katō said this.

"Tell me, what does the Third Hokage want me to do?"

Meikyō asked curiously.

"The Third Hokage hopes that you can take his second son, Asuma, as your disciple. In exchange, my control over the Anbu will be much smoother from now on."

With Dan Katō's explanation, Meikyō gradually understood the Third Hokage's intention in doing so.

The position of Hokage!

He's just the future Hokage.

Anyone with eyes to see knows that after Dan Katō takes office as the Fourth Hokage, the position of Fifth Generation Kage will most likely fall to Meikyō, and it will probably be extremely secure, almost to the extent that the Fourth Raikage, A, was during the Third Raikage's tenure.

The Third Hokage was aware of this, which is why he wanted Asuma to become a disciple of Meikyō.

Since the position of Hokage will most likely fall to Meikyō in the future, let Asuma become Meikyō's disciple. He will be the rightful Hokage in the future, and with the Third Hokage as his Pops, he is the most upright and legitimate heir.

If one's strength meets the requirements, there is still a high probability that one will be able to compete for the position of the future Sixth Hokage.

"Tsk tsk, does the Third Hokage's vision become so far-reaching whenever he's planning something like this?"

"In any case, the Third has been the Hokage for over thirty years, so it's not surprising that he can see this level. As for Asuma, I've also looked into his situation in detail. Although his talent can't compare to a prodigy like Kakashi, he's still outstanding among his peers. He'll most likely become an elite Jonin in the future, and if he gets some opportunities, he might even be able to reach the level of a Kage. He's definitely qualified to be your student."

Dan Katō said with a smile.

He hoped that Meikyō would agree.

His relationship with the Third Hokage is harmonious, and with the latter's full support, Dan Katō's future governance will face much less resistance in all aspects.